What is Asbestos Abatement?

Here at Oracle, we are regularly asked, “what is asbestos abatement?”. The asbestos industry tends to use phrases and wording that the rest of the construction and demolition industry find confusing – so it’s time to shed some light on the phrase Asbestos Abatement. 

Whenever a refurbishment or construction project is planned, and is likely to take place on or in a building constructed prior to the year 2000, the asbestos risk is something that must be considered.

It does not always follow that the risk from asbestos during such a project is reduced as far as is practicable with one type of asbestos work or service.

In addition, asbestos abatement may be needed for general day to day asbestos management. Again, the asbestos abatement required will include all asbestos works and services necessary for effective asbestos management. 

What is asbestos abatement? 1

What is asbestos abatement for a planned project?

The type of asbestos work needed for any project or building will vary depending upon several factors:

  • The details of the project being carried out
  • The age of the building
  • The currently available asbestos information
  • The type and amount of asbestos present
  • The condition of the asbestos-containing materials

In short, asbestos abatement is the term used that encompasses the whole range of asbestos services required to safely complete a refurbishment, construction, or demolition project on a building constructed prior to the year 2000.

A customer asking for the full cost of asbestos abatement on their project needs to be very clear on what it is they are undertaking and what they want the result to be.

For example, a customer recently enquired about the total cost of asbestos abatement for their planned project.

The full project was as follows:

  • Refurbishment of a doctor’s surgery.
  • They planned to refurbish the waiting area.

So, for this customer, the total cost for asbestos abatement for their project needed to include:

  • An asbestos refurbishment survey of the area to be refurbished.
  • Removal of asbestos-containing materials that would be disturbed during the refurbishment works.
  • Asbestos encapsulation and protection for asbestos-containing materials that would not be disturbed during the refurbishment works but were located in the same area. On this occasion, the customer decided to leave this undisturbed asbestos in place and manage it ongoing. The remaining building also has asbestos-containing materials that were being managed and were in a safe and sealed/protected condition. 

As you can see, asbestos abatement for this project included many asbestos services, not just asbestos removal or asbestos encapsulation. The phrase asbestos abatement is a general term which, when used, describes every process required to effectively manage the asbestos risk during a planned refurbishment, construction, or demolition project.

What is asbestos abatement? 2

What is asbestos abatement for asbestos management?

For ongoing asbestos management, there is a range of asbestos services that may be required. They will be dependent upon various factors such as:

  • The current asbestos management information or asbestos register
  • The type and amount of asbestos present
  • The condition of the asbestos-containing materials
  • The overall asbestos management plan

In short, asbestos abatement is the term used that encompasses the whole range of asbestos services required to manage asbestos on an ongoing basis safely. 

A customer asking for the full cost of asbestos abatement to effectively manage their risk from asbestos will potentially need costs for more than one service. 

For example, a customer recently enquired about the total cost of asbestos abatement for their building after an asbestos management survey was completed. 

The asbestos management survey identified:

  • Asbestos-containing materials which were damaged beyond repair.
  • Asbestos-containing materials which were not surface sealed.
  • Asbestos-containing materials which could easily be damaged in the future due to the usage of the site.

So, for this customer, the total cost for asbestos abatement for their asbestos management needed to include:

  • Asbestos removal for materials damaged beyond repair.
  • Asbestos encapsulation for materials that were unsealed to their surface.
  • Cladding and protection over asbestos that could have been disturbed during normal site operations. 

As you can see, asbestos abatement for this customer resulted in several services that provided effective long-term asbestos management.

How can Oracle help with my required asbestos abatement? 

Oracle is a multi-discipline asbestos service provider. When it comes to asbestos abatement, we are a one-stop shop for all your asbestos needs. Oracle Solutions are:

  • HSE Licensed – For asbestos removal and remediation
  • UKAS Accredited – For asbestos surveying and testing
  • Environment Agency Licensed – For asbestos transportation
  • Environment Agency Licensed – For asbestos disposal 

Oracle can provide every service you will ever need if you have or suspect you have asbestos-contaminated land, soil or waste:

For more information on asbestos abatement, contact a member of the asbestos team now.